Both the Scottish and English media have been saying the Scottish budget will be voted through unanimously tomorrow afternoon. The Presiding Officer and party business managers have agreed other business is postponed to allow the debate to be concluded in the one sitting.
So, who are the winners and losers since last Wednesday? Certainly the SNP government lost because their Bill fell, although they behaved sensibly by submitting the same Bill immediately. The conservatives won, no doubt about that. Their willingness to co-operate with the government all through the process has certainly gained them a certain amount of kudos. Margo won, as usual she bargained the way only a woman can. The Greens lost. Badly. I've heard Patrick Harvie's been telt aff by many in his party. The libdems lost because they didn't even approach the starting line and it's taken them months to realise you can't join a game unless you're in the park.
For me the biggest losers were labour. It was obvious for a few weeks that labour had no intention of negotiating. The list of their requirements was extensive and understandably John Swinney said much of it could not be met. So labour pouted and sulked. Let's not forget labour hinted at calling for a vote of confidence just after the numbers were announced, that hasn't been reported much in the last 6 days, but you bet your bottom dollar Alex Salmond won't forget it.
So tomorrow it's all going to be sweetness and light according to Brian Taylor. The Tories will still get their share - the Greens possibly the £33m they were offered last week - the libdems will get support for further fiscal powers (which is SNP policy anyway) and labour will have their apprenticeships but, only for one year with a promise to revisit the subject for the 2010 budget.
Alex Salmond and John Swinney have been skillful in their handling of the situation in the past 6 days and I hope the Bill goes through unanimously. If it does, then it will show some parties in our Parliament have now realised the public want results, most don't care how the results are acquired and behaving like petulant teenagers doesn't impress the electorate.
I'm hoping to watch the main part of the debate as I've been most impressed, in the past while, with the Tory finance lad Derek Brownlee. Somehow feel he could take Annabel's chair once she decides to buy her retirement pad on some Greek island.
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12 comments:
Enjoyed that article subrosa and i think you have it spot on. The SNP are obviously the biggest winners and the conservatives have done well out if the budget.
The libs, well okay they got a long term commitment from the SNP to back more powers for the parliament but most SNP supporters would welcome this.
The Greens got an extra windmill to keep them happy and Margo got her free Jenner's vouchers.
Labour what did they get, as yes a big slap on the face.
Before i went out for training tonight, did i not hear someone on STV say the opposition blinked first ? Well done to the SNP
Now Spook dear lad, that's an excellent assessment too. Haven't you noticed the opposition doesn't blink, it winks? Auch that's cruel, sorry.
I hope it goes well, John Swinney deserves it.
Now off to yer bed and change the colours of your latest post, I can't read a thing lol
I do hope Cutie Cathy sits behind Andy Kerr tomorrow. Brownlie does need some inspiration.
If the Greens are a bit miffed with the way PH has come out of it then isn't this a bit ironic because it was the string pullers in the background who were instrumental in his inconclusive approach, compounded by a similar lack of clarity by John Swinney?
Subrosa
Read this and thought of you
Dependency time-bomb
Britain must urgently take steps to prepare for the seismic impact of a rapidly ageing population
The Spanish film-maker Luis Buñuel reportedly once quipped that age is not important unless you're a cheese. Quite right, and who would not see longer and healthier life expectancy as something to celebrate? But beyond this, a darker side to the issue of a rapidly ageing population also looms.
For the first time, Britain's over-65s outnumber people aged under 16. By 2035, these two age groups will have grown by 4 million (or nearly 50%), and 500,000, respectively.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/04/ageing-population-care
For me the biggest losers were labour.
Oh! what surprise
The eye sees not itself, But by reflection, by some other things.
Niko, I think a couple of cold winters during a recession, will soon set the balance again...
Hey niko, I'm not 65!! Honestly, I do everything I can to stay young at heart as they say. As Conan says, the balance will soon recover. The way the NHS is going it may be sooner rather than later.
Good morning Stuart. Yes, I think it was 6 of one side and half a dozen of the other.
The word from my Green pals (only two mind you as they're a rare species around this neck of the woods) is that the 'witches coven' wanted him to stick out for the £100m.
They knew days before they were guaranteed £22m and more if they'd rehashed the policy to suit Scottish homes, but I think it was just a bad hair day for Patrick. It certainly was for John.
Conan, yer wicked but correct. As I said to niko the NHS will balance it out in a jiffy.
Winked ? ooer i say, mir like they got a slap.
I wis referrin tae yon gray manny wi the twitch Spook. Wicked I am.
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